His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,47
time. I can make some things.”
Rhy came running. “Who let Dillan in the kitchen?”
Kenny shook his head. “Your mate is trying to burn the house down.”
Rhy stifled his laugh. “Yes, that’s my Dillan. He can burn water.”
Kenny sighed. “Well, preferably not in the house.”
“What smells like burnt sugar?” Ava asked.
Kenny pointed at Dillan, who was just smiling. To their guests, he apologized.
“Give us a little bit, and I’ll have breakfast made.”
“You don’t have to go through all the trouble,” Rudd said.
“Speak for yourself, honey. I had the pleasure of eating one of Kenny’s omelets once a long time ago. Still one of the best I’ve ever had,” Hodge interjected.
“You know how to cook?” Ava asked.
“I can just a little bit,” Kenny replied.
“Oh, can I help?” Dillan said, jumping up and down.
Kenny had no idea how in the world he woke up with so much energy all while taking care of a baby. Kenny looked at Rhy, and his best friend moved quickly.
“Why don’t we give Sam a bath?”
Dillan was instantly diverted at the mention of their child.
“Oh, we bought that pink polka-dotted dress we can put her in.”
“Um, can I help?” Ava asked.
Kenny smiled at her. “I’d like that.”
“Uh, we are just going to go this way. Call once breakfast is ready,” Hodge said. He ushered his mate out of the kitchen.
Indigo stood there for a bit with Gabriella. He looked as if he needed something.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where Logan is?”
Why was he asking about Logan?
“I saw him go upstairs to his room a few minutes ago,” Ava answered.
“Oh okay, I’ll just talk to him later,” Indigo said.
He turned with Gabriella in tow.
“Just make sure you wait for him to take a sip of coffee before you talk to him,” Kenny warned.
Indigo looked at Kenny as if he was crazy but nodded as Gabriella asked to go explore the woods. Seeing a five-year-old around made Kenny realize they needed more kids’ things. They had baby stuff, and going to the store for video games for Ava was simple, but they had nothing for someone Gabriella’s age.
“She is so cute,” Ava said.
Kenny nodded and patted Ava on the head. “Just as adorable as you.”
Ava coughed. “Have you been reading Mr. Dezi’s dad books?” She laughed, and the cheesy line was well worth it to hear her laugh.
“It’s the truth.”
Ava tied her hair back, a blush reddening her cheeks. “I’m a young adult. Adorable isn’t the word.”
It was Kenny’s turn to laugh. “I’ll have to remember that.”
“So what do you need me to do?”
“Ever cut vegetables before?”
Ava shook her head. “But I’m a fast learner—at least, that’s what you always tell me.”
“That you are. Okay, I’ll show you how to dice, and then you can do that.”
Kenny found the cutting boards and knives, then moved over to the counter space Kash had dubbed food prep only. Ava grabbed the bell pepper, onion, tomato, and mushrooms.
“I grabbed them, but can I have one without mushrooms?” Ava asked.
“Have you ever had mushrooms?”
Ava sighed. “No.”
“Try it first. If you don’t like it, I’ll make you one without.”
She grumbled for a few seconds before she conceded. Kenny showed her how to properly dice vegetables. He made sure she kept her fingers curled so that she didn’t cut a finger off.
“You got it now,” Kenny said as he watched Ava dice the tomatoes.
Kenny went about cracking the eggs and adding a dash of milk before getting the skillet ready.
“You have the onions cut?”
He glanced over to Ava. Her eyes were red, and she blinked past tears as she diced more onion.
“It burns,” she complained. “The tears won’t stop.”
Kenny should have given her some gum to chew or sunglasses.
“I think I finished it. Hard to say—I can’t see anymore.”
Kenny laughed and helped Ava over to the sink.
“Wash your hands.”
Once she was done, he wet a paper towel with cold water.
“Here, hold this to your eyes. It should help.”
“Thanks.”
Kenny went back over to the vegetables. For Ava’s first time they looked good. And she hadn’t cut herself. He smiled to himself, proud of her. He put a small spoon of butter in the heated skillet and let it melt before tossing in the pepper and onion.
“What step are you doing now?” Ava asked.
“Sautéing the veggies, softening them up.”
Her eyes were still red, but she blinked away the remainder of her tears. She watched Kenny with amazement. He scooped the veggies out and added a little butter once again to the pan. He let it sizzle for a